Atletico Madrid's held by Valencia in La Liga thriller

Madrid: Atletico Madrid’s disappointing season continued as they shared the spoils with Valencia in a thrilling 2-2 draw in La Liga at Mestalla on Friday. Marcos Llorente put Atletico ahead after 15 minutes when he stabbed home from close range, with Gabriel Paulista equalizing five minutes before the break. Atletico went back in front three minutes later when Thomas Partey smashed home a low drive from distance but Valencia’s Geoffrey Kondogbia bundled the ball past goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the 59th minute to level the scores again.

Kevin Gameiro should have put Valencia ahead but lashed a golden chance over the bar after the electric Ferran Torres’s brilliant run and cross.

Sixth-placed Valencia finished by far the stronger, with the draw putting them on 38 points. Atletico, in fourth, has 40 but are 12 adrift of leaders Real Madrid having played a game more. The hosts were thrashed 3-0 at Getafe last weekend but bounced back strongly with an energetic display against Diego Simeone’s side to satisfy their demanding fans.

“I don’t know if the draw is fair, we had a great game against a tough opponent but we had the chances to win,” said Valencia coach Albert Celades. “We had a great second half and made the chances to win but it was a draw. Everyone wants to move forward, everyone wants to win, we put in good performances at home.” Agencies

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